Receiving the Bible in Faith: Historical and Theological Exegesis

256 Pages·2004·0.98 MB·English

by  David Williams

RECEIVING THE
BIBLE IN FAITH

Receiving the
Bible in Faith
HISTORICAL AND
THEOLOGICAL EXEGESIS
DAVID M. WILLIAMS
the catholic university
of america press
washington, d.c.
Copyright © 2004
The Catholic University of America Press
All rights reserved
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements
of American National Standards for Information Science—Perma-
nence of Paper for Printed Library materials, ansi z39.48-1984.
∞
libraryof congress cataloging-in-publication data
Williams, David M., 1966–
Receiving the Bible in faith : historical and theological exegesis /
David M. Williams.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn0-8132-1375-4(cloth : alk. paper)
1. Bible—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—History. 2. Biblical schol-
ars. 3. Bible. N.T.—Relation to the Old Testament. I. Title.
bs500.w5482004
220.6´01—dc22
2003016054
To my teachers both inside and outside the classroom:
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky,
and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for-
ever and ever.
12:3
—Daniel

CONTENTS
lL
Acknowledgments / ix
1
INTRODUCTION/
1. CLASSICALAND MODERN
EXEGESIS / 9
Origen / 11
Aquinas / 24
Spinoza / 35
Troeltsch / 45
Conclusion / 51
2. RAYMOND BROWN / 55
Present circumstances / 56
Literal and historical / 61
Beyond the literal sense / 69
Evaluation and comment / 76
3. BREVARD CHILDS / 79
Critique of the present situation / 81
Fundamental distinctions / 85
Stages of interpretation / 88
Evaluation and comment / 93
4. JUAN LUIS SEGUNDO / 107
Assessment of the present situation / 108
Faith and ideology / 112
Biblical applications / 118
Evaluation and comment / 125
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viii Contents
5. HENRI DE LUBAC / 130
Diagnostic reflections / 133
The Christian transposition / 140
‘Omnis Scriptura divina de Christo loquitur’/ 146
Evaluation and comment / 169
6. UTRAQUE UNUM / 174
Dual intentionality / 179
Guided application / 198
Conclusion / 214
221
Bibliography /
241
Index /
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
lL
N
“ o man is an island,”we read, and the proverb is equally true of
books. Though the words as well as any flaws and oversights
are my own, thanks are due to all those whose help has made this
volume possible. The text began as a Boston College doctoral thesis,
partially funded by a grant from Boston College’s Institute of Me-
dieval Philosophy and Theology, and written for Fr. Matthew Lamb
and Prof. Pheme Perkins, together with Fr. Brian Daley SJ. Without
their teaching and encouragement it would never have been fin-
ished, much less revised and submitted to the press. Throughout the
process, Michael Gorman contributed his practical advice and criti-
cal insight. As the manuscript was being revised, the editors of Fides
Quaerens Intellectum accepted a version of the fourth chapter as an
article (“After the Hermeneutic Circle: The later Segundo and the
2 2002 91 112
Bible,” Fides Quaerens Intellectum [ ]: – ) and so gave me
additional reason to forge ahead. From our first contact, David
McGonagle, Gregory LaNave, and Susan Needham of The Catholic
University of America Press have been knowledgeable and under-
standing guides for someone embarked on an initial voyage through
the shoals of preparing a manuscript for publication.
For the last few years I have been on the faculty of Belmont
Abbey College, where this project was completed, and where I con-
tinue daily to be reminded that we humans are incarnate beings de-
pendent upon one another. Settling in as one of the faculty and de-
veloping a full slate of courses while yet finding time and energy to
write was difficult, even with encouragement from the rest of the
campus community. Without their help, it would have been impos-
sible. I am particularly grateful to Nathalie Coté for her friendship
and collegial advice, which often served as a key impetus to continue
writing, and to the Benedictine community of Belmont Abbey for
their hospitality and example.
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